'It inspires me, the sea, the limitless skies, the mud and the burning sunsets and the freedom of a place where more than 50% of the neighbours are fish.' - Raffaella Barker

Thursday 8th August

We'd planned to go to Cromer today, but it was such a beautiful morning that we decided that Cromer could wait and we would enjoy the sun and the beach. This is what I dream of all year, the luxury of time, freedom from routine and the peace and tranquility of the Norfolk coast. The huge Norfolk sky reaches down to touch the sea and rhythmic sound of the waves rolling on to the beach and the cries of sea birds are the mood music of the day.

We walked on the beach. I splashed in the surf and looked at the beauty of the sea washed pebbles glistening in the sunshine while Robbie took photos. The beach is a lot lower this year, it is a long time since I can remember the sand being this low. The beach is different every time we come, the level of the sand changes, sometimes as now the tide leaves pools behind at the back of the beach. My children loved the pools when they were little, and seeing the beach like this again brings back so many memories. 

We sat in the garden all day, enjoying the sunshine, reading and relaxing. I wrote all my postcards and caught up with one or two other bits and pieces of writing too. Despite the factor 50, I still managed to catch the sun a little bit, I have stripes on my legs because I was wearing shorts so I will have to try and even it out in the next few days

'' I wrote my enemies names in the sand the sea washed them away, I wrote my friends names in the clouds and forever they will stay''

One of the nice things about being home again is having a reliable internet connection, and I spent part of Sunday morning uploading holiday photos to the blog. I love taking photos on the beach, it helps me to look at things differently and to notice the colours, shapes and patterns that the sea creates. The sea is at times wild and frightening and those things that are regularly battered by the sea are gradually smoothed and shaped. Perhaps life is a bit like that too!

  

My connection to the earth is reinforced through the rhythm of the waves - Mike Dolan

It was another lovely sunny day. I was up before before Robbie and I wandered out into the garden and stood looking over the gate at the waves lapping up the beach. It was a very special because it is rare that I have the time to just stand and enjoy the moment without having to dash off to do something more important. The most precious thing about coming to Norfolk is being able to take time to do nothing and to recharge my batteries.

By the time Robbie emerged to face the day I had already done some washing and hung it out, and been for a walk along the beach. The tide was in so there wasn't much beach but I like to look at the beautiful colours and shapes of the sea washed pebbles and with the sun shining on them they almost sparkle. A percularity of this beach are pebbles with holes worn all the way through, I am not sure why it happens, but when the children were young a friend told us that they were special because the ones with holes all the way through are wishing stones.I still look out for them, I need all the wishes I can find and it brings back happy memories of collecting shells and pebbles with the children.

We were happy to stay at the bungalow to enjoy the sunshine and the luxuary of time, it was a lovely relaxing day. We popped out to Stalham briefly in the afternoon to get milk and a few other bits and bobs and then back to the bungalow to enjoy a nice quiet evening, just us and the bats - they really are amazing. The sunset was amazing too, it looked as if the sky was on fire, there is nothing quite like a Norfolk sunset.

Wishig Stones

Wishing Stones Sunday 19th August 2007

This morning I woke Robbie early to send him off to the shop for a newspaper, I was determined to avoid a repeat of yesterday when he had me driving miles in search of a Guardian. He got up reluctantly and after looking lovingly at his railway magazines he grudgingly agreed that he would walk to the shop for his newspaper. I reached for my computer and Robbie commented that I was so attached to my laptop that I would probably want to be buried with it. I reminded him that I wanted to be cremated and if he had me buried I would come back and haunt him. He said that he hoped I wouldn't have him burned and I replied that I certainly would as it was tidier. He retorted "over my dead body" to which I quite reasonably pointed out that of course it would be as I had no intention of having him burned alive!

The weather was a bit grim today, warm but wet. We went out to an antiques fair, it was fun looking but we didn't buy anything much. Later on we went for a walk and then after a very heavy shower we went walking on the beach looking for wishing stones. I love the beach whatever the weather and today provided a good opportunity to take photos because the light was good but there was no direct sunlight to complicate things. There were lots of wishing stones, these are pebbles with at least one hole going all the way through the stone, I am not sure what causes this beach to contain so many stones with holes worn through them, but ever since the children were tiny we have collected them. I cannot guarantee their ability to grant wishes, there have been times when I have wished with all my heart for things to be different to no avail, but I am still fascinated by the stones.

I don't want the holiday to end but I miss the girls and I want to be back in an environment where women are in the majority. The two men in my life have been causing me serious concern regarding the bathroom, one leaves the seat up while the other puts the lid down, either option can be catastrophic in the middle of the night when I am not fully awake. If they start those tricks at home, the girls will soon be on their case!